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<br />COMMUNICATION 017.1 <br />BRONSTEN-GLENN KOSSOWMEIZHU LUI <br />DWAYNE YOSHINA <br />Chairperson <br />JENNIFER YADAO <br />STEPHANIE BATH <br />JAMES HUSTACE <br />AINA AKAMU <br />Vice Chairperson <br />STEPHEN LOPEZ <br />2021 <br />REDISTRICTING COMMISSION <br />DATE:October 20, 2021 <br />TO:Bronsten-Glenn Kossow, Commission Chairperson <br />C:members of the Redistricting Commission <br />Commission staff <br />FROM:Meizhu Lui,CommissionerDistrict 1 <br />SUBJECT: CountingIncarceratedHawaiiResidents <br />Our Commission has been concerned about how and where those incarcerated in Hawaii County <br />are counted for Redistricting purposes. Currently they are counted in the District in which the <br />prison where they are incarcerated is located. Within the 10 years in which Districts stay set, they <br />are more than likely to return to those other places of residence, and will not be voting from <br />where they are imprisoned.In our view, this inflates the population in Districts where there are <br />prison populations and gives them greater representation than is fair. <br />We were advised that Hawaiistate law does not allow us to allocate incarcerated residents to <br />Districts which they identify as their homes. <br />Therefore, I propose that we write to the State Election Committee and to ourState <br />Representatives and Senators, and whomever has the authority, asking them to change the rules <br />so that in the 2030 Redistricting process, incarcerated people will be counted in the places they <br />designate as their permanent residences. <br />Please place this item on the October 28, 2021 agenda. Thank you. <br />HawaOpportunityProvider and Employer <br />